Photo (courtesy of Elisabeth Geschiere): Some of the numerous Palestinian homes and shops along Shuhada Street in Hebron, West Bank that have been closed by Israeli Occupation Forces.

Joel Weisburg, Northfield News, June 18, 2010

To the editor:
I am a Jew who is critical of many Israeli policies toward Palestinians. I feel I must respond to my colleague Alan Rubenstein’s suggestion (Northfield News, June 16) that an earlier letter writer, Bill McGrath, was “duped by anti-semites” into calling for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel for attacking the Gaza aid convoy.

The great majority of the participants in the aid convoy were nonviolent peace activists. I would have been proud to have been among them, trying to deliver aid to a people who are living in destitution due to Israel’s and Egypt’s blockade. I would not be surprised if a small number among the flotilla participants were anti-Jewish, but this was far from a common thread among them.

The Hamas movement that rules Gaza was elected by the people of Gaza in an election that international observers claimed was free and fair. Dr. Rubenstein is correct that the Hamas movement makes clear its desire to destroy Israel. Nevertheless, Israel needs to negotiate with its enemies, as does every country that faces a foe. But instead of attempting to talk to its enemies, it often responds with force. Two of the latest instances were the Israeli invasion of Gaza 18 months ago which resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths and Israel’s attack on the aid flotilla.

These actions are abhorred by many people, including some Jews like me. The Israeli government appears to feel that it can use disproportionate force with few resulting consequences. Part of the reason for this is undoubtedly the strong U.S. government support for its policies. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. aid dollars, and we regularly veto U.N. resolutions condemning its actions against Palestinians.

Those of us who support a policy of boycott, divestment, and sanctions toward Israel are seeking to use nonviolent means to change its inhumane policies, much as was done toward South Africa and other countries that violate human rights. We are attempting to help bring justice to a people living under an unjust military occupation. I hope that readers will judge for themselves whether this means we have been “duped by anti-Semites.”

Joel Weisberg is a resident of Northfield, Minnesota.

First posted at: http://northfieldnews.com/news.php?viewStory=53197